, 1887-07-07
Editorial Notes.

The Tacoma celebration Is the talk
OF the hour. While there was some
dissatisfaction over exhorbitant
charges for accommodations to
strangers, the affair was the grandest
OF its kind ever known in the terri
tory. Probably ten thousand visitors
were there. Great preparations had
been made. The city was gorgeously
decorated, and the programme lasted
three days. The Argus editor was
there and was entertained IN royal
style. One feature of the celebration
was the presence of 4 British man-of
war, and salute fired by it, and an
address by the commander. Surely
such evidences of fraternal feeling
are cheering. Tacoma spent thous-
ands lavishly in the celebration, and
reaped a rich harvest. The following
is a fair Indication of the expense in
Cured in decorations: Gross Bros.
San Francisco store was adorned with
miniature locomtiYe above the main
doorway-on the locomotive were the
words Gross division on one side
and No. 90S," on the other. Below it
was the inscription First train
through the Switehback loaded with
people to buy goods of Gross Bros"
Three paintings were placed against
the upper part of the store In the
center was Washington with the in
scription "The father of our country"
TO the right was the picture of Chas
B. Wright with the inscription The
founder of the city of Destiny" to
the left 4 picture of George Francis
Train with the inscription "Tacoma's
volunteer friend" Over the big bulk
windows were two large paintings one
representing a ship uRder full sail
with the words Yokohoma to Ia
coma, the other with q locomotive
pulling freight cars loaded with
goods for the firm and the inscription
direct from New York, Engine No.
909." Over the main doorway was a
red white and blue canopy. The
Wright block on Pacific avenue was
prettlly decorated. Underneath the
second story windows were fine en-
cravings of Washington, Grant,
Thaddeus Stevens, Lincoln and
Henry Clay. Above the entrance to
A. B. Stewart & Bros drug store,
was a painting of clasped hands with
the words, "Occident, Orient, East,
West" A piece OF canvas was flying
across Pacific avenne from the Mann
block, the headquarters of the fire.
men, upon which was Welcome
each side of the letters ''T. f. D."
The letters were worked in the can
vas with cedar leaves.
Editor Scott of the Oregonian is a
hard hitter. Anent the rebel battle
flag episode, few ultra smart scrlbea
started squib going the rounds,
about those who never fought to
capture those flags, and referred to
Scott as being one of them. Here is
the way he knocks the wind out OF
them in reply: "That the editor of
the Oregonian did net go to the war
was by no means his own fault. He
offered his services, but the govern
mont declined to furnish him trans
portation from Oregon to the seat OF
war, and he had not money enough
to pay his own way. The East al
that time had not been brought to
the door of the West by the railroad
The editor OF the Oregonian did net
get an opportunity to fight for his
country in the great struggle for its
existence, but at least he is entitled
10 the credit of not having fought
against it-though a multitude ei
patriots nowadays are parading the
record Of their services to the rebel
cause as emitting them to personal
honor and to the favor of the country
The ARGUS would like to suggest
that an early meeting be called to
nominate candidates for the various
city offices to be flied. It has been
customary heretofore to hold citi-
zsn's meeting as late as the Saturday
evening before election. We regard
it for the best interests of all con-
cerned to allow longer time in which
TO consider the fitness of candidates
We are strongly in favor of harmony,
yet tho public has right to look
over the election tickets carefully
before selecting names to be voted
for. Late nominations afford too
much opportunity and temptation for
political jobbers to arrange "slates" to
suit themselves. We know of no in.
dications this year pointing to any
jobbery; In fact, there seems to be
but little interest. But the town is
certainly large enough to render it
necessary that candidates for local
Offices be in the field at least four or
five days before the election.
The OregOnidn of Saturday con-
tains very able eommupi cation from
the railway commission of Oregon
10 the Oregon Railway & Navigation
Co as to the reduction of tariff
on the wheat export of the inland
empire. The commission recomms nd
reduction OF 25 to 80 per cent.
The company reduced from I5 to Is
per cent. The commission demands
further redu;tion and proves clearly
that the o. r. & n. Co, at its past
rafna and bucina-o hos hoo, -. \
paying investment in railroad circles.
1t bases its demand for reduction on
the schedules of other paying roads.
It will be interesting to see whether
or no. the demand will be successful
Speaking of wheat carrying from
Eastern Oregon and Washington, The
o. r. & n. Co. does not seem to be
Al-k u.